The anti-EU backer was voted the winner of tonight's live TV confrontation by 57% of viewers after he voiced his concerns to the nation.

In comparison, 36% of the 1,003 polled by YouGov believed Deputy Prime Minister Clegg was the true winner.

The Lib Dem leader became unstuck in front of millions in the LBC hosted event.

Mr Farage argued that the EU was a "failed project".

He said: "Why don't we trust the British people to make their minds up on what I think is the most important constitutional question we have faced in this country for 300 years: are we to be a self-governing nation or not?"

"I would like this referendum to take place before the next general election."

FIERY: Farage threw everything at Clegg [GETTY]

“We are better off in Europe - richer, stronger, safer”

Nick Clegg

To which Clegg responded: "Nigel says let's have a referendum next Tuesday, next Wednesday, next Thursday - every time there's a decision taken somewhere else in the European Union.

"It's really important to remember this is a decision which would have a huge effect, which would have massive consequences for our country for generations to come, for decades to come.

"We are better off in Europe - richer, stronger, safer - and that's why I will fight to keep us in, for the sake of jobs, for the sake of our clout in the world, for the sake of Britain."

Farage kept up a strong offence, hitting Clegg with everything he had.

BIG STAKES: Nick Ferrari hosted the live LBC debate [PA]

He said: "We've got to have a global future for Britain, not one tied, shackled, inside a European Union that is showing itself to be out of date and failing in every measure.

"And only unless we get a government that believes in Britain, that believes in the British people and says we can make our own arrangements all over the world that suit us, and we don't have to do it at the behest of 27 other European countries."

But Clegg was quick to defend European migrants, saying they contribute more than Mr Farage is making out to be.

He said: "People who come to our country, they create wealth, they pay taxes, they help sustain our NHS.

"To pull up our drawbridge, we would destroy jobs for everybody in this country and that is something I am not prepared to see happen."